27 Trees get a new home in Brahman Hills | News
Twenty-seven mature plane trees have found a new home in Brahman Hills, where they are now part of what will be one of South Africa’s most ambitious garden projects.
Spanning over 20 hectares, the Serenity Garden project in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands is being designed on a scale rarely seen in private garden projects. The record-breaking labyrinth includes expansive garden rooms, water features, an underground orchid house, an olive garden and an African art museum, all designed by landscape artist Tim Steyn and deliberately developed as part of a long-term landscape heritage project.
But while the scale of the development is significant, one of the meaningful stories within it is not just about what is being built, but also about what has been saved.
In June 2025, when the team started purchasing established trees for the gardens, they identified 27 plane trees at Gowrie Farm, an estate in the Midlands. Originally marked for removal to make way for development, the trees were instead carefully lifted, preserving their root systems, and placed in protective grow bags. They were held there for several months before being moved. The process required specialized horticultural expertise to ensure their survival and successful recovery.
They were then transplanted to The Serenity Garden in February 2026, where they now form one of the first major structural elements in the gardens. Sycamore trees are known for their generous shade, textured bark, impressive height and ability to thrive for decades. They bring both presence and a peaceful character to the landscape. And their conservation and relocation to The Serenity Garden further underlines Brahman Hills’ commitment to the long-term care of the environment.
Onwaba Gonyora, director of Brahman Hills, says moving mature trees is part of a wider approach to the site, one that focuses on working with the land and protecting what already exists where possible. “Planting new trees is important, but preserving mature trees, especially those that might otherwise have been cut down, is just as important,” she adds. “These trees will long outlive us. They will cast shade for generations to come, witness seasons of change and help root The Serenity Garden in its legacy.”
As The Serenity Garden continues to take shape, the plane trees are now a silent reminder that environmental stewardship is not just about planting something new, but about preserving what already carries strength and a story.
“This International Tree Day, they offer a living example of what it means to protect heritage, not just create it,” concludes Gonyora.
To follow the journey of The Serenity Garden, visit https://www.brahmanhills.co.za/serenity-garden
